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Refinements in Tear Trough Deformity Correction: Intraoral Release of Tear Trough Ligaments: Anatomical Consideration and Clinical Approach

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  • Oculoplastic
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Abstract

Background

Correction of tear trough (TT) deformity is a crucial aspect of facial rejuvenation. Because the anatomical origins of TT deformity lie in the TT ligaments, which firmly attach the dermis to the periosteum, the release of TT ligaments should be considered when performing an etiological correction. The aim of this paper is to propose an alternative method for TT deformity correction, comprising use of filler together with the release of TT ligaments. This technique was compared to the procedure of only percutaneous filler.

Methods

From January 2014 to December 2015, 10 patients were enrolled in the study for recurrence of TT deformity. All the patients underwent TT ligament release and filler injections; all had been previously treated with percutaneous hyaluronic acid injection without ligament release. Under local anesthesia, the TT ligaments were detached using a blunt cannula introduced directly in the supra periosteal plane through an intraoral access. Once the ligament was released, the TT depression was evenly recontoured with a very small amount of filler. The clinical data, digital images, evaluations of outcomes, including patient satisfaction rates were collected and compared.

Results

Adding the procedure of TT ligament release to filler injections showed satisfactory results, avoiding an unnatural puffy appearance. The comparison between the two different methods showed improved outcomes and increased patient satisfaction with minor patient discomfort among those who underwent TT ligament release.

Conclusion

Because TT ligaments are among the etiologic factors of TT deformity, they have a strong impact on procedures that are designed to improve TT deformity; therefore, TT ligament release should always be considered to obtain satisfactory, natural results.

Level of Evidence IV

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Acknowledgements

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose. None of the authors has a financial interest in any of the products, devices, or drugs mentioned in this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy

    Alessandro Innocenti, Dario Melita, Serena Ghezzi & Marco Innocenti

Authors
  1. Alessandro Innocenti
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  2. Dario Melita
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  3. Serena Ghezzi
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  4. Marco Innocenti
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Correspondence to Alessandro Innocenti.

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All the procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Innocenti, A., Melita, D., Ghezzi, S. et al. Refinements in Tear Trough Deformity Correction: Intraoral Release of Tear Trough Ligaments: Anatomical Consideration and Clinical Approach. Aesth Plast Surg 42, 1576–1581 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-018-1245-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-018-1245-4

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